Portable fence



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-She,et, 1.

0.1:". JOHNSON. PORTABLE FENCE.

No. 582,789. Patented May 18, 1897.

7 6 v 6 A/ AAA/AAAA AAAAAA/AAAAA/AA; 7 4 9 /Z .97. "P -"12 WITNESSES @ZZW 6 (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet, 2.

0. F. JOHNSON. PORTABLE FENCE.

No. 582,789. Patented May 18, 1897.

WITNESSES VEJV TOR UNITED STATES CHARLES F. JOHNSON, OF HUDSON, MICHIGAN.

PORTABLE FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 582,789, dated May 18, 1897.

Application filed August 7, 1896- To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hudson, in the county of Lenawee and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Fences; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to portable fences.

My object is to provide a more simple and cheap, as well as extremely strong, portable fence which can be folded into compact form whenever desirable, but which when once in position cannot be closed or folded by the stock, so that it will firmly remain in position against displacement.

A further object is to provide a novel form of portable fence which will be adapted for use either in connection with stock of any description or can be employed to fence in poultry and will more satisfactorily prevent the latter from escaping.

Having these objects in view, my invention consists of a portable fence made up of sections comprising hinged frames of novel and improved construction and peculiar devices for locking said frames together in extended position when the fence is in use.

The invention further consists in certain details of construction appearing more fully hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an inside elevation of a section of my improved fence. Fig. 2 is an outside elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is an end elevation showing the locking mechanism. Fig. 4 is a similar view, but showing the fence folded; and Fig. 5 is a detail view of a certain locking device.

My improved fence is formed in sections, each comprising a main frame A and an auxiliary frame B, the latter being higher than the former. .The main frame is composed of longitudinally-extending timbers 1 and 2 and vertical timbers 3, suitably connected thereto. As many horizontal timbers can be employed as desirable. The lower horizontallyextending timber of the main frame is extended somewhat at one end, as at 4, for connection to the adjoining section of the fence.

Serial No. 601,992. (No model.)

in connection with this frame, as woven wire, barbed wire, 850., but in the present instance I have shown the frame as being equipped with vertical pickets 5 5 but it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the use of pickets. The auxiliary frame is provided with longitudinally or horizontally extending timbers 6 and 7 (additional timbers can be used, if desirable) and the upper longitudinally-extending timber 8, which is located somewhat above the fence-picket heretofore described when the fence is in compact or portable form.

The numerals 9 designate vertical timbers, which connect the longitudinally-extending timbers 6, 7, and 8. Bolts 10, passing through the sets of vertical timbers 3 and 9, and nuts and washers 11 afford means whereby the two frames are hinged together in such relation that when they are extended the vertical timbers of the auxiliary frame pass in between the pickets of the main frame and rest against the upper longitudinally-extending timber 2. At each end of the fence there is located a lock or keeper 12, which is provided with a curved slot 13, and has an inclined lower edge 14 and a catch 15. A bolt 16 passes through the slot and into the vertical timber 9. After the frames have been extended this look is moved in relation to its pivot-bolt and the inclined lower face and catch looked over the upper end of the end of timber 3. Then thus arranged, it will be impossible for the two frames to be closed together without lifting or tampering with the lock, and hence the fence cannot be knocked down by the stock.

The numeral 17 designates a series of double-ended pickets, which are connected to the longitudinally-extending timbers 6 and 8 of the auxiliary frame and pass between the pickets of the main frame when the frames are extended. These pickets 1'7 prevent the poultry from escaping over the fence when the latter is used to fence in poultry. It is obvious that instead of these pickets 17 any other style of filling could be employed, and hence it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the use of these pickets.

When extended and locked, the auxiliary frame is located next the stock, and hence it will be seen that barbed wire could be em- Any preferred styleof fence can be employed ployed in connection with the main frame, if

desirable, because the stock could not injure themselves in anymanner on it, owing to the peculiar inclined position of said frame.

Many slight and immaterial changes might be resorted to in constructing my improved fence, and hence it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein shown and described, but consider that I am entitled to all such variations that come within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a portable fence, the combination of main and auxiliary frames hinged together at their tops, and means for locking said frames in extended position.

2. In a portable fence, the combination with a main frame comprising horizontally-ex- 1 ended timbers and vertical timbers,of an auxiliary frame also comprising horizontally-extending and vertically-extending timbers, the two frames being hinged together at their tops, and means for locking said frames in extended inclined position.

In a portable fence, the combination with a main frame, of an auxiliary frame hinged to the main frame, being of greater height than the main frame so that it crosses over the top of the latter,said frames being adapted to fold, and means for locking the two frames together in inclined and extended position.

4. In a portable fence, the combination with a main frame comprising longitudinally and vertically extending timbers connected together, and a filling for said timbers, of an auxiliary frame composed of longitudinallyextending timbers, and vertically-extending bers of the main frame and extending thereacross, but of greater length than said timbers, said main and auxiliary frames being adapted to fold,.and means for locking the two frames together in inclined and extended position.

5. In a portable fence, the combination with a main frame and a filling therefor, of an auxiliary frame hinged to the main frame, being provided with timbers which extend across the upper portion of the main frame, a Willing for the upper portion of the auxiliary frame, said frame being adapted to fold, and means for locking the two frames together in inclined and extended position.

6. In a portable fence, the combination with a main and auxiliary frame hinged together and adapted for extension so as to be arranged in inclined relation, of a lock provided with a slot, and a pin passing through the slot into one of the frames, said lock being adapted for engagement with the other frame whereby the two frames are locked together in extended position.

7. In a portable fence, the combination of main and auxiliary frames hinged together, a lock provided with a curved slot and having a catch at its lower end, and a bolt or pin passing through said slot and into one of the frames, said lock and its catch being adapted for engagement with the other frame whereby the frames are held locked in extended position.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES F. JOHNSON.

\Vitnesses:

GRANT FELLows,

timbers which are hinged to the vertical tim- Bnn'r D. CHANDLER. 

